Western Washington Outdoor Adventure

July 23 to July 30, 2018

Exchange Details

Overview

Are you an outdoors-oriented person? Would you like to experience a diverse range of outdoor experiences in various parts of beautiful Western Washington? If so, we have the Journey for you! The Olympia Friendship Force Club invites ambassadors from around the world to join together in friendship and participate in this global adventure, “Western Washington Outdoor Adventure” in July 2018. You will experience adventurous activities including bicycling, kayaking/paddle boarding, and hiking, as well as enjoying the scenery and history of mountains, Puget Sound and nature preserves within two hours of Olympia, Washington.

Home Hospitality

Home Hospitality provided by the Friendship Force Club of Olympia.

Live With a Local

This Journey will bring together ambassadors from all over the world, sharing American hospitality and culture, and allowing plenty of opportunity to learn from one another.

Global Ambassadors will meet one another and the hosts during a welcome social, farewell dinner, and home-hosted meals, as well as sharing in the outdoor activities in the program.

Home-hosting will be provided for seven nights.

Skilled outdoor enthusiasts will guide you through the assorted activities, including kayaking or paddle boarding, biking, and hiking. Kayaks or paddle boards and bicycles will be provided. Let the Journey coordinators know if you plan on bringing your own.

Sightseeing Highlights

Kayak/paddle board, swim, hike, and a welcome dinner picnic at Millersylvania State Park.

Bike 16 miles round trip from Tenino to Rainier on the paved bike trail. Tour the Tenino Depot Historical Museum and town sculptures, visit/swim in the Quarry. Have lunch in Rainier with a stop at the Rainier Mainstreet Cookie Company and complete the day with small group dinners hosted in homes of Olympia Friendship Force Members.

Hike to the Woodard Bay Conservation Area to view native American and early settler history, shorebirds, and Puget Sound.

Kayak for two hours out of Boston Harbor on the Sound, ending with a Friday night music and dinner at the Marina.

Hike at Mt. St. Helens including a visit to the Johnston Ridge Observatory. Stop for dinner on the way home at Jeremy's Farm to Table Restaurant in Chehalis.

Walk the trail and boardwalk through the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, which is the largest undisturbed estuary, to view some of the 275 migrating bird species.

Possibility of visiting a local brew pub and finishing off the day with a farewell dinner.

Our hosts went above and beyond sharing their local culture and kindness. - 2015 Ambassador

Western Washington Outdoor Adventure

7 Days / 6 Nights Program and Itinerary:

July 23, 2018 – July 30, 2018

Coordinator: Pat MacLachlanpatkayaker@comcast.net

All Friendship Force Itineraries are subject to change.

July 23

Arrival: Guests make their own arrangements to get to Olympia.

Shuttle information will be available.

July 24

Millersylvania day.

Kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, and hiking

Welcome dinner BBQ and potluck.

July 25

Mt. Rainier – Paradise hike

Dinner in Eatonville

July 26

Bike ride Tenino to Rainier.

View the sculptures in Rainier.

The bike ride is 8 miles to Rainier and 8 miles back –
you will need a swimsuit, towel, and water.

Availability:

15Spaces Remaining

Challenging Get ready to keep up with our highest-energy group. These demanding, and rewarding, programs are for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Challenging

Know before you go

As this Journey is geared to outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy more active adventures, we are planning the program for ambassadors with certain abilities.

Physical Requirements - All ambassadors must be fit, healthy, and able to participate in high energy activities. Ambassadors must be able to do physical activities for at least 3-4 hours at a time, walk 6 miles at a time (frequently on uneven ground), climb an elevation gain of 1700', and ride a bicycle for 16 miles round trip with a lunch and rest break and kayak 2 hours near shore.

Ambassadors must be willing to participate in activities and sign a liability waiver. No alternative program will be provided (though there may be some choice in some of the activities.)

A Health and Mobility Checklist must be submitted with each application.

Temperatures vary in July with usual daytime highs in the 70s F and night time 50s F, with mountain temperatures cooler.

Appropriate clothing should be worn for activities - good hiking shoes, comfortable bright-colored cycling clothing (for visibility), cycling helmets - which can be brought or will be provided here, bathing suit and clothes that can get wet in the water activities, light rain gear and a warm jacket. Layering your clothes works best.

Bring a small backpack and any other day hiking gear that you need, including sunscreen.

We would love to have you on this Journey with us.

Our Mission

Friendship Force International provides opportunities to explore new countries and cultures from the inside by bringing people together at the personal level. Through the signature program of home hospitality, local hosts welcome international visitors into their culture, sharing with them meals, conversation, and the best sights and experiences of their region.
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I​ am interested in traveling on this journey with Friendship Force!

Complete this form to receive additional information about this trip. Thanks for your interest - we will contact you soon!